The Complete DET Score Guide for US & Canadian Universities | 50+ Schools Verified (2026)

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DET University Guide · Series 1 of 8

DET Score Requirements:
US & Canada Major Universities
50+ Schools Verified (2026)

By Sam · DETnTedu.com · Updated May 2026

50+

Schools Listed

2

Countries Covered

Official

Data Source

May 2026

Last Verified

📚 DET University & College Guide Series

1. DET Score Requirements: US & Canada Major Universities — 50+ Schools ◀ You are here
2. DET Score Requirements: US Public Universities — UC, Big Ten & Major State Schools
3. DET Score Requirements: Canadian Universities — Ontario, UBC, McGill & 25 Schools
4. DET Score Requirements: California Community Colleges — TOP 50
5. DET Score Requirements: Washington State Colleges — Coming Soon
6. DET Score Requirements: New York & New Jersey Colleges — Coming Soon
7. DET Score Requirements: Texas & Florida Colleges — Coming Soon
8. DET Score Requirements: Canadian Colleges — Coming Soon

If you are planning to apply to a university in the United States or Canada using your Duolingo English Test score, this is the guide to start with.

Over 50 major universities across both countries now accept DET — but the score requirements vary significantly. MIT requires 125. Arizona State accepts from 95. Several well-known schools still do not accept DET at all. Getting this wrong early costs time.

Every score in this guide was pulled directly from each institution’s official admissions page. No aggregators, no guesswork. Where third-party sites had it wrong, we flagged it.

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ImportantAll data verified from official admissions pages, May 2026. DET requirements change — always confirm directly with the institution before applying.

1 Score Range Overview

Before the school-by-school breakdown, here is a quick picture of what different DET scores unlock across US and Canadian universities.

95pts

Entry-level access — selective state universities

Arizona State University (ASU), some CSU campuses

Limited options at this range; conditional admission routes available at some schools

105pts

Mid-tier public universities

Selected state universities and Canadian regional universities

Range opens access to a broader set of accredited institutions

115pts

UC system entry — major Canadian universities

All UC campuses (except UCLA), Western University, Memorial University

UC system threshold; most Ontario universities require 120

120pts

Core target — majority of major US & Canadian universities

NYU, Boston University, Northeastern, UofT, McGill (undergrad), most Ontario universities

The most important threshold in this guide — covers the widest range of institutions

125pts

Top-tier research universities

MIT, Columbia, Cornell, UBC, McGill (some programs)

Required for the most competitive institutions accepting DET

135pts

Highest tier

UCLA, select Ivy League and equivalent programs

Fewer schools at this level; confirms near-native English proficiency

2 Top US Private Universities

Several of the most selective private universities in the US now accept DET. Requirements are high — and in some cases, DET is accepted only for specific programs or application types.

MIT

LocationCambridge, MA DET Score125 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesOne of the first elite universities to officially accept DET; consistent minimum across departments

Columbia University

LocationNew York, NY DET Score125 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET for undergraduate admission; graduate programs vary by school

Cornell University

LocationIthaca, NY DET Score125 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET across colleges; some graduate programs set higher minimums

New York University (NYU)

LocationNew York, NY DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesStrong international student presence; consistent acceptance across most programs

Northeastern University

LocationBoston, MA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesOne of the earlier adopters of DET among top-tier private universities

Boston University

LocationBoston, MA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET for most undergraduate programs; graduate varies by school

University of Southern California (USC)

LocationLos Angeles, CA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesDET accepted across most schools; Marshall Business School may set separate conditions

Emory University

LocationAtlanta, GA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesConsistent DET acceptance; strong pre-med and business transfer reputation

Tufts University

LocationMedford, MA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET for undergraduate; Fletcher School of Law & Diplomacy: verify separately

Georgetown University

LocationWashington, DC DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET for undergraduate admission; law school does not accept DET

💡 Key Takeaway — US Private Universities

120 is the effective floor for most top US private universities accepting DET. MIT, Columbia, and Cornell sit at 125. Always verify graduate-level acceptance separately — policies frequently differ from undergraduate.

3 Top US Public Universities

The University of California system is the largest single network of DET-accepting public universities in the US. Outside of the UC system, requirements and acceptance policies vary considerably — and several well-known public universities still do not accept DET.

UCLA

LocationLos Angeles, CA DET Score135 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesHighest DET requirement among UC campuses; competitive benchmark score

UC Berkeley

LocationBerkeley, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUndergraduate only NotesGraduate Division does not accept DET — TOEFL or IELTS required for all grad programs ⚠

UC San Diego (UCSD)

LocationSan Diego, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG + Grad (120 from Fall 2026) NotesGraduate minimum increases to 120 from Fall 2026

UC Davis

LocationDavis, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG + Grad (115) NotesConsistent minimum across undergraduate and graduate programs

UC Santa Barbara (UCSB)

LocationSanta Barbara, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG + Grad (120) NotesGraduate minimum is 120

UC Irvine (UCI)

LocationIrvine, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG + Grad (120–125) NotesGraduate minimum varies 120–125 by program

UC Santa Cruz

LocationSanta Cruz, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG; Grad by department NotesGraduate acceptance varies by department

UC Riverside

LocationRiverside, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG; most Grad programs ❌ NotesMost graduate programs do not accept DET; TOEFL/IELTS recommended for grad

UC Merced

LocationMerced, CA DET Score115 Req. TypeUG + Grad (120) NotesNewest UC campus; consistent DET acceptance

University of Illinois (UIUC)

LocationChampaign, IL DET Score130 Req. TypeUndergraduate (subscore 125+) NotesHighest public university DET requirement outside UCLA; all subscores must reach 125

Penn State University

LocationUniversity Park, PA DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesAccepts DET for undergraduate; graduate varies by program

Ohio State University

LocationColumbus, OH DET Score120 Req. TypeUG + Grad (120) NotesSome graduate programs require TOEFL or IELTS regardless

University of Washington (UW)

LocationSeattle, WA DET Score110 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesGraduate acceptance varies by department

Arizona State University (ASU)

LocationTempe, AZ DET Score95 Req. TypeUndergraduate (general) NotesLowest threshold among major R1 universities; engineering & nursing require higher scores

University of Michigan

LocationAnn Arbor, MI DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesDoes not accept DET for undergraduate or graduate — TOEFL/IELTS only ⚠

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University of Michigan — DET Not AcceptedDespite being one of the most prominent public universities in the US, the University of Michigan does not accept DET for any undergraduate or graduate program. Many third-party sites list incorrect scores. Always verify on the official admissions page.

💡 Key Takeaway — US Public Universities

The UC system sets a consistent floor of 115 across 8 campuses — UCLA being the only exception at 135. UIUC at 130 is the highest-bar public university outside the UC system. Michigan does not accept DET at all.

4 Top Canadian Universities

Canadian universities have adopted DET widely — but the common assumption that Canadian schools are easier to get into on English proficiency is not accurate. Most major Canadian universities now require 120, and several have strict subscore conditions on top of the overall minimum.

University of Toronto (UofT)

LocationToronto, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate only NotesGraduate School (SGS) does not accept DET — TOEFL/IELTS required for all grad programs ⚠

McGill University

LocationMontreal, Quebec DET Score125 (some programs: 130) Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesMost graduate programs do not accept DET ⚠ — B.Ed. and B.Com. require 130

UBC

LocationVancouver, BC DET Score125 Req. TypeUG + Grad (125, subscore 115+) NotesR/L subscores must reach 115; W/S subscores must reach 120

University of Waterloo

LocationWaterloo, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesLiteracy and Production subscores must each reach 125 — total score alone is not sufficient ⚠

McMaster University

LocationHamilton, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesSubscore conditions apply: R 115, W 125, L 110, S 115

Queen’s University

LocationKingston, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesPreviously 110 — raised to 120; old information still circulates online ⚠

University of Alberta

LocationEdmonton, Alberta DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate (all subscores 100+) NotesAll subscores must reach 100; health sciences programs may set separate conditions

University of Calgary

LocationCalgary, Alberta DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesNursing and Education programs do not accept DET ⚠

Simon Fraser University (SFU)

LocationVancouver, BC DET Score125 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesDET accepted under pilot program confirmed through Fall 2026 — verify before applying ⚠

University of Victoria (UVic)

LocationVictoria, BC DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate (all subscores 110+) NotesAll subscores must reach 110

Western University (UWO)

LocationLondon, Ontario DET Score115 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesOne of the few major Ontario universities below 120; nursing requires separate verification

Dalhousie University

LocationHalifax, Nova Scotia DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesTop university in Atlantic Canada

University of Ottawa

LocationOttawa, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesCanada’s only bilingual university; verify by faculty for graduate

Carleton University

LocationOttawa, Ontario DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate NotesSubscore conditions apply: W/R/S 110+, L 105+; conditional admission possible from 80

Concordia University

LocationMontreal, Quebec DET Score120 Req. TypeUndergraduate (subscore 90+) NotesEnglish-language public research university in Montreal

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Canadian Universities — Subscore ConditionsSeveral Canadian universities publish specific subscore minimums alongside the overall DET score. Meeting the total score without checking subscores is one of the most common application mistakes. Always verify both the overall and subscore requirements before applying.

💡 Key Takeaway — Canadian Universities

120 is the effective floor for most major Canadian universities. UBC, McGill, and SFU sit at 125. UofT and McGill graduate programs do not accept DET. Subscore conditions are far more common in Canada than in the US.

🏆 Canada Top 3 for DET Applicants

🥇

University of Toronto

Canada’s top research university; QS global top tier — DET accepted at undergraduate level

🥈

UBC

Top western Canadian university; one of the few to accept DET at both undergraduate and graduate level

🥉

McGill University

Canada’s only QS Top 30 university; 125 for most undergraduate programs

5 Well-Known Schools That Do NOT Accept DET

These institutions are frequently searched alongside DET — but do not accept it. If any of these are on your list, TOEFL or IELTS preparation is necessary.

Harvard University

LocationCambridge, MA DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS required; no DET acceptance across any school or program

Stanford University

LocationStanford, CA DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS required for all programs

Yale University

LocationNew Haven, CT DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS required; verify by school as graduate policies vary

Princeton University

LocationPrinceton, NJ DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS only

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn)

LocationPhiladelphia, PA DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesWharton and other schools: TOEFL or IELTS required

University of Michigan

LocationAnn Arbor, MI DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesOne of the most commonly misreported schools online — DET is not accepted for any program

UT Austin

LocationAustin, TX DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS only for all undergraduate and graduate programs

University of Florida

LocationGainesville, FL DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS required; no DET acceptance at undergraduate or graduate level

Texas A&M University

LocationCollege Station, TX DET Score❌ Not accepted Req. Type— NotesTOEFL or IELTS only

UofT Graduate (SGS)

LocationToronto, Ontario DET Score❌ Not accepted (Grad) Req. TypeGraduate only NotesUofT undergraduate accepts DET at 120; graduate School of Graduate Studies does not accept DET at all

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Third-Party Data WarningSeveral schools on this list — particularly University of Michigan and UT Austin — are regularly listed on comparison sites with DET scores. Those listings are inaccurate. Always verify directly on the institution’s official admissions page before investing time in an application.

6 Score-Based Application Strategy

Use this as a starting framework. The most important threshold to understand is 120 — it is where the majority of accessible major universities sit.

DET Score	Realistic University Targets	Key Notes
95–105	Arizona State University (general programs), some CSU campuses	Limited options; conditional routes available at some schools
110–114	University of Washington, selected state universities	Some major publics accessible; most Canadian universities still out of range
115	All UC campuses (except UCLA), Western University, Memorial University	UC system entry point — 8 campuses unlocked at this score
120	NYU, BU, Northeastern, USC, UofT, McMaster, Waterloo, Queen’s, Carleton, U of Ottawa, U of Alberta, U of Calgary, Dalhousie	Most important threshold in this guide — widest range of institutions
125	MIT, Columbia, Cornell, UBC, McGill, SFU	Top-tier institutions; subscore conditions apply at UBC and McGill
130+	UIUC (130 with subscores 125+), McGill B.Ed./B.Com.	Highest bar among DET-accepting universities
135	UCLA	Highest DET requirement in this entire guide

7 Final Thoughts

A few patterns stand out across all 50+ schools in this guide.

120 is the most important number to know. It is the floor for the majority of accessible major universities in both countries — from NYU and USC to UofT and McMaster. If 120 is your target, a large portion of this list opens up.

Graduate programs are a different story. UofT, McGill, and several other universities that accept DET at the undergraduate level do not accept it for graduate admission. If a graduate degree is part of your long-term plan, factor that into your test preparation strategy now.

Subscores matter more in Canada. Canadian universities are significantly more likely to publish subscore minimums alongside the overall score. Waterloo, UBC, McMaster, and several others have conditions that go beyond the total score alone.

And the schools that do not accept DET — Harvard, Stanford, Michigan, UT Austin — are still not accepting it, despite what you may find on third-party comparison sites. That has not changed. Always verify on the official page.

Know your target score. Now build toward it.

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